Apparatus for forming elongated corrugated poles



1 Mwfcch Mk (i936, E ALMDALE APPARATUS FOR FORMING ELONGATED CORRUGATED PoLEs APPARATUS FOR FORMING ELONGATED CORRUGATED POLES Filed April 5, 1953 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Mar. 10, 1936 UNITED STATES PATENT QFFICE APPARATUS FOR FORMING ELONGATED CORRUGATED POLES Application April 3, 1933, Serial No. 664,129

12 Claims.

This invention relates to new and useful improvements in apparatus for forming elongated corrugated poles.

An important object of the invention is to provide a substantially one-piece sheet metal corrugated and tapered pole from two sheet metal stampings united by a pair of longitudinally extending welded seams.

Another important object of the invention is to providev an apparatus for forming one corrugation at a time in the blank and using the formed corrugation as a guide for the formation of subsequent corrugations.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a very flexible sectional die from which tapered poles of varying lengths and diameters may be formed.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent during the course of the following description.

In the accompanying drawings forming a part of the application and wherein like numerals are employed to designate like parts throughout the several views.

Fig. 1 is a top plan of the sectional bed die,

Fig. 2 is a diagram for graphically illustrating the varying lengths and diameters which may be imparted to poles by the use of the adjustable dies.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged perspective View of the bed and ram of a press equipped with the adjustable dies, with parts thereof broken away to clarify the construction and showing a partially formed pole section in position therein,

Fig. 4 is an end elevation of the same,

Referring now more particularly to the drawings in detail for one example of the invention, the numeral I designates the bed of a press. This bed is provided with a longitudinally extending channel 2, the side walls 3 of which form abutment for a plurality of clamps 4 or shims 5 which may be used in building dies of various sizes from the sectional die bars to be presently described. The bottom of the channel adjacent the side walls is horizontal and parallel with the upper surface of the bed as indicated at Ii, Vto form a substantial footing for the clamps. These clamps 4 are removably and adjustably secured to the bed by cap screws 'I which are threaded into the surfaces 6 as shown.

From the surfaces 5, inwardly and downwardly thereof, are inclined supporting surfaces 3 vwhich terminate at the side of the vcentral longitudinally extending groove 9. The bottom of this groove supports a series of die bars II) arranged in longitudinal alignment with each other from one end of the bed to the other. These bars are of substantially trapezoidal cross section and diminish in height from one end to the other and over which a blank of sheet metal II is bent to form tapering corrugations or flutes I2 with fillets I3 at either side. In the formation of tapered corrugated poles, it will be seen that the die bars vary in width inversely to the variance in height from one end to the other.

At opposite sides of the bars IIJ upon the inclined surfaces 8, are supported similar series of die bars I4 which are also arranged in longitudinal alignment and taper or diminish in height and width from one end of the series to the other as is the case with the die bars I0. In order that the Various diameters for the top and bottom of the pole may be derived from the same set of die bars, liners I5 and I6 are used. The liners I5 are adapted to be positioned under the bars I4 upon the inclined surfaces 8 to vary the diameter of the pole, while liners It are placed between the bars It and I4 to properly space them for the desired size and taper of the pole. The liners are carried in different sizes and sets for the production of various size poles.

Reference to the chart of Fig. 2 will indicate the flexibility or adjustability of the dies. The solid longitudinally extending lines Il and I8 dene the longitudinal edges respectively of small and large blanks to form large and small diameter poles or poles having top and bottom diameters anywhere within the ranges of maximum and minimum diameters at either end. This chart is marked off lengthwise in subdi- Visions representing one foot each and the width of the large end of the blank can be anywhere within a range to form up into varying diameters, as for example from eight-and-onehalf inches to nine-and-one-half inches. Like- Wse the small end of the blank can be such as will form up into the desired diameter for the smaller end of the pole with any desired base diameter. The dot and dash lines i9 represent a blank which will form up into a l2 foot pole having a base diameter of approximately sevenand-one-half inches and a top diameter of approximately four-and-three-quarters inches. The dotted lines 2@ indicate a blank which is to be formed into a 24 foot pole with a base diameter of approximately nine-and-one-half inches and a top diameter of approximately veand-one-half inches.

The ram or movable member 2l of the press is offset as at 22 from the main body of the I section and is provided with a seat 23 for the reception of two series of die bars 24, which terminate in more pointed forming surfaces to form the metal of the blank on opposite sides of die bars le, into fillets I3. Due to the relief of the ram, the blank is, at the same time given arcuate form so that, as the flutes are consecutively formed, the blank will curl up toward the shank of the ram until the last flute is formed and the blank is of a semi-circular cross section.

Each series of the die bars 24 is also arranged in longitudinal alignment and tapers off in height and width from one end to the other. In order to be as flexible as the bed die bars, tapered liners 25 are disposed between the bars 24 to properly space them for the formation of the desired size of pole. Due to the great length of the blanks, the die bars and liners of both sets may be more economically formed in lengths of three feet, more or less, but if desired may be in one piece for the entire length of the die.

This arrangement makes it possible with the minimum die costs, to provide a multitude of different size poles with the same set of die bars and appropriate liners, i. e. any length pole may be constructed to possess various top and bottom diameters within certain ranges. Having set up for a pole of predetermined size, an appropriate tapered blank is placed upon the bed die with one longitudinal edge against a suitable gauge to locate the first formed corrugation. The ram is lowered to bring the die bars 24 down upon the blank at opposite sides of the bed die bar I0 to form a longitudinally extending flute or corrugation and a pair of fillets I3. As the ram is elevated, the blank is lifted to move laterally across the bed die bringing the same down with its formed corrugation or flute resting on the adjacent die bar I4. This causes the blank to be properly positioned between the dies to have a second flute or corrugation formed therein upon the next lowering of the ram. These steps are carried on until the whole blank has been fiuted and given a semi-circular cross section. Two of such stampings are then arranged with their longitudinal edges together for attachment as by welding or otherwise, to form them into a tubular tapered Doric pole.

It is to be understood that various changes in the size, shape and arrangement of' parts may be resorted to without departing from the scope of the appended claims.

I claiml. Means for forming elongated, tapered, corrugated pole sections, comprising a stationary series of elongated separable die bars arranged in longitudinal alignment to form corrugations,

said bars gradually tapering from one end to the other, said series of bars being arranged to provide a concave die member' and a reciprocable ram carrying die bars offset from the vertical center of the ram and complementary to the aforesaid bars and adapted to enter the concave die member to form one flute upon each stroke of the ram.

2. Means for forming elongated, tapered, corrugated pole sections, comprising a stationary series of elongated separable die bars arranged in longitudinal alignment to form a single corrugation, said bars gradually tapering from one end of the series to the other, and a reciprocable ram carrying die bars offset from the vertical center of the ram and complementary to the aforesaid series and adapted to cooperate therewith to form one flute and two fillets upon each stroke of the ram.

3. Means for forming elongated, tapered, corrugated pole sections, comprising a stationary series of elongated separable die bars arranged in longitudinal alignment to form a single corrugation, said bars gradually varying in width inversely to the variance in height from one end to the other, and a reciprocable ram carrying die bars offset from the vertical center of said ram and complementary to the aforesaid bars and adapted to cooperate therewith to form one flute and two llets upon each stroke of the ram.

4. Means for forming elongated, tapered, corrugated pole sections, comprising a series of elongated separable die bars arranged in longitudinal alignment to form a single corrugation, said bars gradually tapering from one end to the other, tapered liner strips arranged between the bars and beneath certain of the bars to vary the curvature of the section, a reciprocable ram having die bars complementary to the aforesaid bars and having a tapered liner strip secured between its die bars, said die bars being adapted to cooperate with the aforesaid series to form one flute upon each stroke of the ram.

5. An adjustable die comprising a support, a plurality of separate die bars positioned with their respective forming faces defining an arc, and means for adjusting the die bars vertically and laterally whereby said arc defined by said forming faces may be varied at will.

6. An adjustable die comprising a support, a plurality of separate die bars positioned with their respective forming faces defining an are, means between the die bars for varying their spacing, and means positioned between the bars and support whereby said are may be Varied at will.

7. An adjustable die for forming tapered, corrugated arcuate sections comprising a plurality of separate elongated tapering die bars positioned with their respective forming faces on an arc, said bars Varying in width inversely to the variance in height from one end to the other, and means between the die bars whereby their spacing may be varied according to the are.

8. An adjustable die for forming tapered, corrugated arcuate sections comprising a plurality of separate elongated tapering die bars substantially trapezoidal in cross section positioned with their respective forming faces on an arc, and means between the die bars whereby their spacing may be varied according to the arc.

9. An adjustable die comprising a bed having a channel defined by side walls, the bottom of said channel having a central longitudinally extending groove defined between a pair of inclined supporting surfaces, a central die bar in said groove, a pair of die bars on opposite sides thereof and supported upon said inclined surfaces, and clamps engaging the side walls and sides of the pair of die bars for retaining all of the die bars in fixed position.

10. An adjustable die comprising a bed having a channel defined by side walls, the bottom of said channel having a central longitudinally extending groove dened between a pair of inclined supporting surfaces, central die bars arranged in longitudinal alignment in said groove, and a pair of series of die bars supported upon said inclined surfaces, and clamps engaging the 75 side walls and sides of the pair of series of die bars for retaining all of the die bars in Xed position.

11. Means for forming corrugated semi-cyl- 5 indrical sections comprising a stationary concave die member, a reciprocable ram carrying a complementary die offset from the Vertical center of the ram whereby clearance is maintained between the latter and the edge of an arcuate section being formed, and said ram carried die being adapted to cooperate with the concave die member to form a flute upon each stroke of the ram.

12. An adjustable die comprising a support having a central die seat With oppositely inclined die seats on each side thereof, a die member on each seat and arranged with their respective forming faces defining an arc, and means for adjusting the die members laterally of the central die member upon the inclined seats for varying the arc formed by the forming faces of the die members.

EINAR ALMDALE. 

